New UAE School Track Change Rules Set Marks and Deadlines
The UAE Ministry of Education has introduced new rules for students who want to change between the General and Advanced academic tracks during the 2026-27 school year. The rules cover eligibility, academic performance and the deadline for transfers.
Under the new system, students can change tracks only at the start of the academic year. All approved transfer procedures must be completed within the first two weeks of the school year. After this period, track changes will not be permitted.
For students moving from the General track to the Advanced track, academic results are important. Grade 8 students moving to Grade 9 Advanced and Grade 9 students moving to Grade 10 Advanced must have achieved at least 80% in English, Mathematics and Science during the previous academic year.
The rules are more restrictive for older students. Grade 10 General students cannot move to Grade 11 Advanced, while Grade 11 General students cannot transfer to Grade 12 Advanced because they have not completed the required scientific subjects for those grades.
Students on the Advanced track can also move to the General track after successfully completing a school year, subject to the required voluntary transfer process. Students who fail in the Advanced track will normally move to the General track, although specific conditions allow them to request a repeat year.
The 2026-27 academic year begins on August 31, 2026, according to the Ministry’s academic calendar. This means families considering a UAE school track change should discuss the decision with their school before the transfer window closes.
Schools have also been instructed to provide individual academic guidance. Parents and students should consider academic performance, future university plans and possible learning gaps before changing tracks.
